Wednesday, April 12, 2006

A runaway train?

It would appear that the Iranian nuclear program is something of a run away train. Responding to criticsim from around the world a senior Iranian offical has said that their nuclear activity 'cannot be stopped'. Needless to say this is worrying.

American and Russia have both stated that Iran are going in the wrong direction with their nuclear program. Mark Little on Morning Ireland this morning stated that Iranians now view the issue as a matter of national pride. Irresistable force meets immoveable object anybody?

The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed El Baradei, heads to Tehran today to investigate Irans claims. Its clear that Iran are not going to meet the U.N deadline of April 28th so strong international sanctions are likely to follow. However will such sanctions have any effect other than to further entrench both sides?

How is the U.S going to play this? Will they be happy to follow the U.Ns lead on the matter or will they feel the need set the pace themselves as was the case with Iraq?